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View Full Version : sunlight on tank

ruarox
03/30/2008, 07:36 AM
is sunlight on your tank bad. i remember reading somewhere that it causes algae.
ihopss
03/30/2008, 07:50 AM
That & heat.
ruarox
03/30/2008, 07:55 AM
why is it bad is that not what natural reefs use
wiscsaltwater
03/30/2008, 08:02 AM
It can make your tank heat up, its great for the ocean cause its not directed on 75 gallons or so in a glass heating box, its alot easier to heat 75 gallons than it is an entire ocean, also it can cause your algea to bloom out of control and sunlight you cant exactly turn the timer down on to control it, you can put curtains up but Its easier to set up away from sun than it is to tear down and move the setup once its full.

I have heard of people successfully incorporating natural sunlight into their reef tank but most are very experienced and run large chillers and all the right equipment to do it.
jackets22
03/30/2008, 08:29 AM
Natural light I would think would be great for the tank. Just like anything else in reefing I am sure moderation is the key.
memorysan
03/30/2008, 08:48 AM
Well, one issue would be if you use aquarium lighting and have natural sunlight hitting the aquarium...lots of extra light...algae blooms...heat...

If you are using only natural light...it would be hard for you to control.

I'm sure natural light could be done...but be careful.
inachu
03/30/2008, 08:51 AM
I have read that some people put film on their window that filters out the infrared so only light and no heat goes into the tank.
wiscsaltwater
03/30/2008, 09:04 AM
any light creates heat
seapug
03/30/2008, 09:05 AM
Look at this thread-- pics of sunny tanks:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1343849
ruarox
03/30/2008, 03:30 PM
sun only shines through windows for half day directly since it faces west so really only direct rays for few hours would that not be like adding stronger lighting
tony45power
04/10/2008, 07:41 PM
tell the cat to stop ****ing in the tank!
Toddrtrex
04/10/2008, 07:51 PM
As long as your water is in check you won't get an algae bloom. Need both light and nutrients in your tank to get a bloom, if you don't have excess nutrients there won't be a bloom.

As for heat, that is a possibility but each tank/house is different so can't say for certain if you will have heat issues.

Now that spring is here, half of my 75 gets hit with sunlight from a skylight, and I love it. The colors are amazing. I don't have heat and/or algae issues from it.
ruarox
04/10/2008, 08:12 PM
seapug your tank looks great how do you take pics so good?when i do it never seems to come out good
ruarox
04/10/2008, 08:15 PM
it was'nt it was swimming